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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my son should not be asked to write F*ing poetry in year 1 for homework

229 replies

Reallytired · 29/02/2008 18:14

I feel its too soon. My son cannot spell and I would prefer it if he was given spellings for home work.

Frankly I think he should concentrate on basic literacy skills and hand writing.

OP posts:
stuffitllama · 29/02/2008 22:09

Reallytired it's a rotten introduction to poetry.

Pointydog -- that's the problem.

He would learn that homework is optional and Mum can "write a note". Is that A Good Thing?

muppetgirl · 29/02/2008 22:09

cursive script is fab for boys...

fishie · 29/02/2008 22:10

i am clueless parent of pre-schooler. am utterly shocked at homework for a 6yo. surely not till 11? unless in private school where fees must be justified.

Original poster
Reallytired · 29/02/2008 22:10

My son craves getting a sticker for his home work. He is desperate to please. Last week he did not get a sticker because I wrote out his poem.

This week he has written his poem out himself. It is totally unreadable and 99% that he won't get a sticker he though he has tried really hard. I also know he will be deeply hurt.

I think I am 100% justified with using the F word about I feel about this stupid home work.

Why can't he get a home work based on power rangers. He could design a new power ranger and write about its super powers instead of writing a poem about spring?

Why can't the girls be made to do a boyish home work.

OP posts:
pointydog · 29/02/2008 22:11

If writing a small rhyming poem isn't a problem - and in fact son has some brilliant ideas - then type up his poem, get son to write just the two to four rhyming words maybe, and send in with note.

If the teacher complains about that she is an arse.

AbbeyA · 29/02/2008 22:12

I would have fun with the rhyming and type it out for him or send in a tape-unless the homework was really handwriting, and not a poem ,I can't see the problem.

stuffitllama · 29/02/2008 22:12

You are spot on. I completely sympathise.

What are you going to do?

pointydog · 29/02/2008 22:13

He wouldn't learn that homework is optional (although it is a terrible idea), he would maybe realise that he needs more time and support with his writing than others but he is maybe aware of that already.

I do sympathise with small chilren who find writing difficult. I understand that frustration.

stuffitllama · 29/02/2008 22:15

He WOULD learn that homework is optional.

If he's given homework, and everyone does it, and he doesn't, and Mum writes a note, and he doesn't get told off (which IMO he shouldn't, as it's a silly hw in the first place) he will learn that homework is optional.

pointydog · 29/02/2008 22:15

and what's unboyish about spring?

muppetgirl · 29/02/2008 22:15

Write a poem about bl**dy power rangers then!!!!!!!

I have given you a very good clear solution and yet you are still banging on about how unfair it is. DO them homework, speak to the teacher and MOVE ON!!!!

Kindersurpise · 29/02/2008 22:16

The problem is not really poetry though, it is the teacher not encouraging your DS. He is doing his best and she gets out the big not-good-enough-hammer and .

No wonder he is discouraged.

hatrick · 29/02/2008 22:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

pointydog · 29/02/2008 22:16

if he does it but it is mostly typed/written for him apart from a couple of words, then it wouldn;t be optional. It would be differentiated.

pointydog · 29/02/2008 22:16

yup, I've given a clear solution as well, muppet.

stuffitllama · 29/02/2008 22:19

Much better to have ten spellings and a times table to learn.

Not much writing (possibly not any).. quickly done.. can practise in the car or at bathtime.. visible results when they're tested (and not subjective).

Then they can use all their new words in a poem or story they write in class.

This is not rocket science. It's so obvious to me, I come over very self-righteous and irritating about it and find it impossible to conceive that anyone can disagree.

Sorry about that. I am on my soapbox. This sort of thing drives me completely bonkers. It's such a waste of time and energy and goodwill, and the results are flimsy.

muppetgirl · 29/02/2008 22:20

Poetry is a really good example of differentiation by outcome in that the children tackle it at their own level.

muppetgirl · 29/02/2008 22:20

Poetry is a really good example of differentiation by outcome in that the children tackle it at their own level.

ObviouslyTheProblemIsMine · 29/02/2008 22:22

I think we should all lighten up !

There was a young man from nantucket
whose cock was so long he could suck it
he said with a grin, as he wiped off his chin
if my ear was a c* I could fuck it !

Kindersurpise · 29/02/2008 22:22

Surely the answer is a bit of both, fun creative writing paired with spelling, grammar etc.

Why is that so difficult a mix for our schools to get right?

pointydog · 29/02/2008 22:24

do all of them not get it right, kinder?

hatrick · 29/02/2008 22:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

stuffitllama · 29/02/2008 22:24

There is no solution. This homework is pointless and frustrating for some children. Fine if you can do it, absolutely fine. If you can't you are left with
a. don't do it, teach that homework is optional
b. sort of half do it, teach that homework is sort of up to you and mum how you do it
b. make child do homework under duress, make them loathe poetry and homework at the same time, feel like failure etc etc when they don't get rewarded appropriately

Let them write poetry. Let them do it in class.

beeper · 29/02/2008 22:27

Why are people so artsy fartsy about poetry.

Anyone who has ever worked in a place where the general public write in knows half the country can't spell and have rubbish handwriting.

I agree with OP early years should be focused on basic reading, spelling, writing and maths.

My DS was in year 1 and was having nightmares about writing some story, the kid could not even space his words out, or spell and could barly read.

So I took him out of the system and taught him at home, now he is an amazing reader, and speller.

stuffitllama · 29/02/2008 22:27

Muppetgirl that's just what I'm talking about.
All the children can do it in their own way, at their own level..

and yet RT says her child isn't getting rewarded when he has performed at his level

where is the expectation? what is the purpose of this homework? what do they learn? if they are allowed to do it at their own level then they are not being taught and stretched -- they are exploring what they already know

homework is tough at that age and they shouldn't have to do it unless they learn something from it

of course